NIA arrests three men for leaking information about Indian defense to Pakistan intelligence
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken decisive action by arresting three individuals accused of leaking highly sensitive information to intelligence operatives based in Pakistan. The federal anti-terror agency made this announcement on Wednesday, shedding light on the serious nature of the espionage operation.
According to the NIA’s statement, the arrested individuals were engaged in illicit activities that involved sharing classified details about crucial Indian defense establishments. These included the strategically significant Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka and the Kochi Naval Base in Kerala. The agency emphasized that such intelligence leaks pose a direct threat to national security.
The three individuals who have been taken into custody have been identified as Vethan Laxman Tandel and Akshay Ravi Naik, both of whom were apprehended from Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. The third accused, Abhilash P A, was arrested in Kochi, Kerala. The NIA confirmed that these arrests were carried out on Tuesday with the assistance of local law enforcement authorities.
Further investigations by the NIA have revealed that these individuals had been in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) through social media platforms. This clandestine communication enabled them to transmit sensitive information concerning Indian defense assets. Moreover, in return for their cooperation, they were reportedly receiving financial compensation from their handlers in Pakistan.
With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals taken into custody in connection with this espionage case has now reached eight. The case itself was initially registered by the Counter Intelligence Cell of Andhra Pradesh back in January 2021. Since then, the NIA has been actively working to dismantle the network responsible for this security breach.
In its ongoing investigation, the NIA has already filed chargesheets against five individuals, including two Pakistani operatives who remain absconding. The agency has identified a Pakistan national, Meer Balaj Khan, and an Indian operative, Akash Solanki—who has since been arrested—as key figures involved in orchestrating the espionage racket. Their activities were part of a broader conspiracy aimed at leaking sensitive naval intelligence to Pakistan-based intelligence handlers.
Additionally, the NIA has charged another absconding Pakistani Intelligence Operative, identified as Alven, along with two more individuals—Manmohan Surendra Panda and Amaan Salim Shaikh. These individuals have been named in the chargesheet due to their involvement in passing on confidential information. The NIA formally took over the investigation in June 2023 and has since intensified its probe to identify and apprehend all those involved in the security breach.
The anti-terror agency has reiterated its commitment to thoroughly investigating this matter. It has vowed to leave no stone unturned in exposing and dismantling the espionage network that sought to compromise India’s national security. The NIA continues to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for leaking classified defense information are brought to justice. The agency has also affirmed that it will remain vigilant against any further attempts by Pakistan-based or other anti-national entities to jeopardize India’s strategic interests.
